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Sozopol

Sozopol is the oldest town on Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The history of Sozopol dates back to 610 B.C. It was at this place where a Hellenic colony ("polis") of Miletus Greeks was settled. They called it Apollonia Pontika, after the name of God Apollo (protector of the immigrants), and devoted a temple to him, known for its colossal 13-meter statue of the god, made by the sculptor Kalamis. The town established itself as a trade and naval centre in the following centuries. It kept strong political and trade relations with the cities of Ancient Greece. Its trade influence in the Thracian territories was based on a treaty with the rulers of the Odrysian kingdom dating from the fifth century BC. The symbol of the town – the anchor, present on all coins minted by Apollonia since the sixth century BC, is proof of the importance of its maritime trade. The rich town soon became an important cultural centre. At these times it was called Apollonia Magna.

Sozopol

When in 72 B.C. the city was captured and burned down by the Roman General Marc Lucullus, the majestic statue of Apollo was taken away to Rome and installed on the Capitol Hill. In the 4th century it became a traditional Byzantine town known under the name of Sozopolis meaning "town of salvation". It was only in 812 – during the rule of Khan Krum – when for a short period of time Sozopol became a part of the Bulgarian country.

The settlement had its true revival in the 18th century – 19th century, the time when all the preserved magnificent churches, ancient icons and refined wood-carving iconostases - remarkable achievements of local artistic crafts from the epoch of the Bulgarian National Revival, as well as a number of wood and stone houses creating the unique architectural face of Sozopol.

At the end of July this year the ancient Sozopol was arena of unique find of great historical value. On the nearby island of St. John, a team of archaeologists led by Professor Kazimir Popkonstantinov discovered relics of St. John the Baptist! Today the relics are kept in the church of St. George in the Old town of Sozopol, where a portion of the Holy Cross is also stored.